Update. Northwest Indiana District Church of the Nazarene April 4, 2009

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1 Update Northwest Indiana District Church of the Nazarene April 4, 2009 Providing a climate for dynamic holiness ministry through the Church of the Nazarene in Northwest Indiana CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE CENTENNIAL OCTOBER 5, 2008 WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE CHURCH GOD HAS GIVEN YOU? NEW DISTRICT CHILDREN S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Brian Leach, children s pastor at Real Life Community (Portage) has accepted the position of District Children s Ministries Director. Brian joined the staff at Real Life Community in July of Previously he served the Xenia, Ohio Church of the Nazarene from I want to express my appreciation to Cari Estes for her excellent leadership of Children s Ministries over the past few years. I know you join me in praying for Brian as he leads us in our children s ministries going forward. INVITATION FROM NORTHEASTERN INDIANA As previously announced, we have been given a great opportunity to participate in the Northeastern Indiana Skill School coming April 20. The featured presenter will be Dr. Bob Whitesel. Dr. Whitesel is Associate Professor of Graduate Studies and Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a highly sought after writer, consultant and speaker on the emerging organic church, church management and church growth. He has authored five books and is currently completing a second Doctorate in post-modern outreach and church change. The Details Title of Presentation: The Multi-Gen Church: How To Reach Young People Without Alienating Your Older Members. Time: Monday, April 20, 9 a.m. 3.pm. ESDT Location: Northeastern Indiana District Campground, Marion, IN For Map Quest Directions: 1734 S. 350 E., Marion IN Cost: $7 for lunch. No additional fee

2 To Register Call the NE Indiana District Office or you may Focus of Presentation: The subject area is very pertinent to many issues faced in local churches these days. I plan to attend this seminar and urge you to give serious consideration to attending as well. KOKOMO FIRST ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING OF NEW FACILITY Celebration and Worship Service Saturday, April 11 6:00 p.m South Washington Street Kokomo, Indiana Congratulations to Pastor David Leeder, the Staff and Congregation at Kokomo First at this historic moment in the life of this congregation! GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER MAY 31 I strongly encourage each pastor to lead your congregation in the Global Day of Prayer, May 31, Resources to assist you in planning and observing this important day can be found at This is a great opportunity to join with believers around the world in focusing our attention on our desperate need for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, around the world, in our nation and in every local church. THIS CHURCH/STATISTICAL YEAR HAS ENDED! Our abbreviated church year ended March 31. Here are important dates for you to be aware of are: April 15 - Pastors Annual Report Due April 15 - Local NMI President s Report Due April 18- Year End Meeting with Ministerial Students (South Lake Nazarene) April 30 - District Assembly Finance Committee (District Office) June 6 - NYI Convention (Kokomo First) June 7 - Opening Service of Assembly/NMI Convention (Kokomo First) June 8 - NMI Convention (8 :30 a.m. to noon) June 8 - District Assembly (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) June 8 - Ordination Service ( 7 p.m.) June 9 District Assembly ( 8:30 a.m. to noon)

3 Dr. MICHAEL ROSS ACCEPTS PASTORATE AT NOBLESVILLE After serving as Interim Pastor for the past five months, Dr. Michael Ross has accepted the invitation of the Noblesville congregation to become senior pastor. Dr. Ross is no stranger to this the district. Over the past several years he has led two Pastoral Team retreats and has served as a resource person on several occasions for our district licensed minister s gatherings. He is the founder of a non-profit organization, The Pastor s Institute, I know you join me in welcoming Michael and Diana Ross to the Northwest Indiana District family. Pastor Mike s first official Sunday as senior pastor will be Easter Sunday, April 12. HOLINESS TODAY ANNOUNCES NEW SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL Holiness Today has announced that subscription renewals will no longer be processed through the local church. Instead, renewal notices will be mailed to each subscriber. Here is additional information: Pastor, you can provide important help by doing the following: 1. Pass this information along to your congregation and encourage them to renew. 2. Please return all renewal confirmations to Holiness Today by April 30. We need your help finding new subscribers. By ing goldarm@sbcglobal.net you can request the following: 1. Free Holiness Today subscription cards to be distributed through your bulletins and church events. 2. Free Holiness Today posters. 3. Free Holiness Today bulletin artwork which can be used weekly. TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER Mark Ward-Bopp as he continues to recover from treatment for throat cancer. Tom Hunter in the loss of his father. Sheila Burdett in the loss of her mother.

4 CREDENTIALS BOARD CONFIRMS ORDINANDS I m delighted to announce that on the basis of interviews of those having applied for ordination, at a recent Credentials Board meeting the following individuals were approved for ordination at our coming District Assembly: Elder: Ben Norton, Senior Pastor, New Beginnings Community (South Bend) Amber Karkosky-Litten, Senior Pastor, Living Stone (Rensselaer) Brian Leach, Children s Pastor, Real Life Community (Portage) Eric Wood, Youth Pastor, Valparaiso Nazarene Deacon: Lu Ann Hostetler, Christian Ed. Minister, Portage Grace Connie Vandersteen, Staff Person, Fairmeadow Community Shaun McClellan, Arts in Worship Pastor, Valparaiso Nazarene Congratulations to these individuals at this very significant time in their lives and ministry. HILLSBORO ANNOUNCES BUILDING PLANS At a recent meeting of the District Advisory Board, Pastor Greg McDonald presented plans for an addition to the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene. The new structure will add 7000 square feet of important classroom, gathering and storage space. The congregation voted unanimously in favor of this project. Congratulations to Pastor Greg and the Hillsboro congregation! NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES FROM FEBRUARY PASTOR S REPORTS Valparaiso Nazarene Valpo is in the final two months of the construction of their new facility. Plans call for the first Sunday in the new facility to be June 6. Portage Grace 30 different persons have now served at least one meal at the Gary Rescue Mission. Faith Community Outreach (Gary) Church members have rallied together to send a love gift to assist with the Hobart First Nazarene restart effort. Kokomo Bon Air Upward Basketball program has been a great success as a number of parents and grandparents are attending practices and games. Several families are visiting as a result of Upward. Fairmeadow Community The Wherehouse, our new outreach to middle school students in Munster, is averaging 80 non-churched kids per week. Laporte At a recent church board meeting with Zion Builders, good progress was made toward the start of our Family Life Center that has been planned for some time.

5 Rochester Mike McFarland has been added to the staff as associate pastor. West Lebanon A monthly prayer service has recently been initiated that takes place the second Sunday evening of each month. This is specifically designed as a means of encountering God on a more intimate level. This vigil is a work in progress and will be key to everything we do in the way of ministry throughout our church. Living Stone (Rensselaer) We received 9 new members, all by profession of faith, this month. Also for the first time in 10 years, we have had a month where we have averaged 50 or more in worship each week. Duneland Community This month we had an emphasis on stewardship and commitment to ministry for the first time and it was well received. There were numerous stories of answers to prayer, deeper commitment and excitement about stepping out in faith to respond to God s call. The Spirit is on the move!